Recent allegations of sexual abuse against labor icon Cesar Chavez are causing a significant reckoning within communities that celebrate the history of the United Farm Workers movement. This controversy is leading to a critical re-examination of the pivotal 1965 Delano grape strike.

The Historic 1965 Delano Grape Strike Context

In 1965, Filipino and Mexican American farmworkers joined forces to strike against California grape growers. This coalition was led by Filipino labor leader Larry Itliong and Cesar Chavez, a founder of the National Farm Workers Association.

Honoring Filipino Roots in Labor Movements

The history of Filipino farmworkers in the U.S. dates back to the period of American colonial rule over the Philippines (1898 to 1946). Tens of thousands of Filipinos immigrated, primarily joining agricultural work from the 1920s through the 1960s, often facing severe discrimination.

These early Filipino male workers, known as “manong,” endured inferior wages and poor housing while sending money back home. They also faced loneliness due to limited female immigration and anti-miscegenation laws.

The Genesis of the Strike

By the 1960s, Filipino farmworkers had established the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC) out of necessity. Dennis Arguelles, Southern California director for the National Parks Conservation Association, noted this action was taken “out of necessity and desperation to protect themselves, to try to live in dignity.”

On September 8, 1965, Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz led the AWOC to vote for a strike, demanding at least the federal minimum wage. Itliong then called upon Chavez, who headed the National Farm Workers Association.

Arguelles explained that Chavez was initially hesitant, feeling the NFWA was not prepared to challenge powerful agribusiness interests. The groups officially merged a week later to form the United Farm Workers.

Navigating Chavez Allegations and Historical Narratives

The five-year Delano grape strike ultimately resulted in collective bargaining agreements for thousands of laborers. However, the popular historical narrative has often centered on Chavez, overshadowing Itliong’s crucial role.

Filipino groups are now canceling plans to march on what is currently celebrated as César Chavez Day on March 31. Advocates are pushing to rename the celebration to honor both Filipino and Chicano farmworkers, specifically acknowledging survivors of Chavez’s alleged abuse.

Calls for a More Comprehensive Story

Dillon Delvo, executive director of Little Manila Rising in Stockton, stated, “We really need to kind of center this trauma of women and sexual abuse.” He added that this must be the focus of current discussions.

Johnny Itliong, Larry Itliong’s son, asserted at a public meeting that Chavez had attempted to “erase the history” of the strike’s beginning. He stated, “I’ve spent my whole life speaking up for my father and his generation of men and women who fed America.”

Dennis Arguelles views this moment as a chance to present a more accurate history. He suggested, “Maybe this is our opportunity to tell a more accurate and comprehensive narrative of what took place.”

Shifting Focus to Unsung Heroes

The Los Angeles Board of Supervisors recently took steps to potentially rename César Chavez Day to Farmworkers Day. Some have suggested moving the observance to September 8 to commemorate the Filipino workers’ initial strike date.

The stage musical, “Larry the Musical: An American Journey,” only mentions Chavez once, focusing instead on Itliong and the women in his life. Co-producers Gayle Romasanta and Bryan Pangilinan noted that the musical always centered women as those who hold the community accountable.

Vernadette Gonzalez, a UC Berkeley ethnic studies professor, urged educators to highlight the contributions of unsung heroes. She pointed out that Hispanic female members of the UFW were often excluded from official meeting minutes while performing vital support roles.